What Are Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, impacts the brain’s working and can be either mild, moderate, or severe. Understanding its causes is crucial in its prevention and timely intervention. In the US, TBI caused over 69,000 deaths in 2021, or about 190 every day. While it impacts the lives of people of all ages, research suggests that groups, like veterans, racial minorities, homeless people, and survivors of partner violence are more likely to be affected by it. They face unique circumstances that increase their risk of contracting TBI. Suffering from these injuries can lead to a lifetime of issues and financial struggles that a New York brain injury attorney from Douglas & London can assist you on. It’s important to understand what the most common causes of these injuries are to keep you and your loved ones aware and safe.
Falls
Even though they impact all age groups, young children and older adults are especially vulnerable to falls. Thus, falls rank as the leading cause of TBIs according to the CDC, and can occur in bed, on stairs, on ladders, in the bathroom, or other everyday scenarios. These common occurrences can lead to lots of damage. Maintaining a safe home environment is crucial in preventing falls and subsequent TBIs. Similarly, assistive devices for adults can also reduce the risk of falls.
Vehicle-Related Collisions
Collisions involving bicycles, motor vehicles, and pedestrians are another common cause. Especially the high-speed impacts and direct blows to the head often result in direct impact on the brain. In such situations, seatbelts, child restraints, and helmets can be crucial in minimizing the severity of the injuries. Similarly, promoting responsible driving and strictly enforcing traffic laws helps prevent such collisions altogether. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings to avoid these types of severe accidents.
Violence
Violence-related incidents, like domestic violence, child abuse, assaults, and gunshot wounds, also account for a majority of TBIs. Unfortunately, these types of accidents occur when someone’s rage turns physical. This leaves anyone to be a victim, especially small children. The shaken baby syndrome is a particularly distressing example and refers to a form of violent shaking that leads to severe brain injury in infants. Prevention strategies can include strict law enforcement and awareness about the consequences of violence towards promoting non-violent conflict resolution.
Sports Injuries
Sports activities, particularly high-impact or physically exhilarating ones, can also result in TBIs. This is because sports like boxing, skateboarding, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, and football require intense physical activity. These activities significantly increase the potential for collision, direct blows to the head, and falls, which are direct causes of TBIs. Therefore, the players should wear protective equipment to minimize the impact. Rule enforcement and training can also reduce the chances and several sports-related TBIs, especially among youth.
Combat Injuries
Explosive blasts, like the ones experienced by military personnel in combat zones, expose veterans to TBIs. While the mechanisms of blast-related TBIs are not yet completely understood, research suggests that pressure waves passing through the brain disrupt its normal functioning. Therefore, active-duty personnel exposed to explosive blasts must ensure comprehensive preventive measures. These can include protective gear, adequate training on TBI awareness, and timely medical intervention to reduce the severity. The more protected you are, the better chance you have of survival.
Conclusion
Traumatic brain injury is a major health concern, and understanding its causes can play a vital role in strategizing prevention methods to mitigate the impact. It is crucial to wear protective gear and train well, whether it’s for sports, while driving, or during military exercises. Similarly, avoiding falls is also an effortless way to prevent TBIs. Finally, the government should invest in public awareness to discourage violence and encourage responsible driving. Make sure to keep yourself protected, even a simple activity can lead to severe damage.
With a solid foundation in technology, backed by a BIT degree, Lucas Noah has carved a niche for himself in the world of content creation and digital storytelling. Currently lending his expertise to Creative Outrank LLC and Oceana Express LLC, Lucas has become a... Read more